TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif – On Monday, June 19, at about 10:28 in the morning, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff - Morongo Basin Station were dispatched to the 5000 block of Halsey Avenue to assist Animal Control. Animal Control officers were at the location in response to reports of dogs left outside in the heat with no access to water or shade. The approximate ground temperature was estimated at 145 degrees.

Upon arrival, deputies observed a female juvenile, approximately seven years of age, inside the residence. Despite Animal Control Officers’ and deputies knocking on the door for several minutes, deputies were unable to contact the parents of the juvenile. Deputies entered the unlocked residence to check on the welfare of the girl.

Inside the residence, deputies located Natalya McCourt (age 27 of Twentynine Palms), the children’s mother, asleep in her room and observed a child’s arm reaching under the door of a hallway bedroom. Deputies located two male juveniles’, ages 6 and 3, in the bedroom. The 6-year-old juvenile was autistic.

The door to the boys' bedroom was found to be locked from the outside, and the boys were locked inside without access to water or restrooms. Natalya McCourt was subsequently arrested, transported and booked into the Morongo Jail for felony child cruelty and felony animal neglect.

Persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.